Separable fastener



Sept. 18, 1945. l.. H. MORIN SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed Sept. lO, 1945 Ilmlinfa INVENTOR- aa/s/Ja/f//v ATTOREY flcation.

Patented Sept. 1 8, 19,45

, UNITED STATI-:s 'PATENT oFFics SEPARABLE FASTENER Louis H. Morin,Bronx, N. Y., assignor of Vone-half to Davis Marinsky, Bronx,` N. Y;

Application september 1o, 1943, seriaiNo. 561,831

- i 14 claims. (ci. zit-,205)

This invention Arelates to separable fasteners of the type and kindemploying stringers `with sliders movable along the stringers to coupleand uncouple the same. vention relates to a novel scoop constructionwherein each scoop member comprises a, ball like end joining acylindrical mounting end in an annular neck on acurvature conforming.lwith the periphery of the ball to produce between adjacent edges ofopposed stringers a substantial seal, and further in providing greaterflexibility of the stringers in bending or flexing the same.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when taken` together with the accompanyingdrawing. in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed,`and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable `referencecharacters in each of` the views; and in which:

, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of two stringers, showing thecoupling engagement between links or scoops thereof. 1

Fig.'2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig, 1. Fig. 3 is a section onthe line 3-3 of Fig. l, Abut showing only one of the stringers With alink or scoop thereon; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to'Flg. V1, showing only partof theconstruction,l and showing a modi- In the construction of stringers forseparable fasteners of the kind under consideration, it has been thecommon practise to provide on the coupling end portions thereof, maleand female couplings for engaging scoops of opposed stringers to couplethe stringers together, and by virtue of More particularly, the inthestructure of the scoops and the male and mounting end portions of thelinks or scoops arranged thereon.

It is the purpose of my invention to obviate these difficulties andobjectionable features by providing links or scoops having cylindricalmounting ends and balllike coupling ends with reduced necks formingfseats for the ball ends of the links of an opposed Stringer, so thatthe resulting balland socket construction provided between the coupledlinks or scoops will provide between the fastener` stringers.

freer flexure of the scoops one 'upon the other, while at the same time,producing between adjacent edges of the scoops a more perfect sealFurthermore, the formation` of the mounting end portionsA of the scoopsprovides greater ilexure of the stringers by dispensing with the cornerportions ofthe conventional squared or rectangular mounting ends, andfurther in forming the concaved or recessed sides on the mounting endportions of `the scoops by virtue of the cylindrical formation of thebody engaging the beaded tape edges.

In Figs. 1 to 3`inc1usive is shown one adapta- `tion of the invention.In Fig. 1, portions of two stringers I0, IflJ-a are shown, and as thesestringers are both of the same construction, the brief description ofone Stringer` will apply to both. In this connection, it is pointed outthat the links or scoops attached to the beaded edge Il ofthe stringers,as indicated `at I2, are of the double action type. In otherwordsthesestringere are adapted for coupling regardless of the arrangement of Vthestringers with respect to each other, and further facilitating movementof slidersalong the stringers in either direction for couplingk anduncoupling the saine.` This general adaptability is herein referred toas universal couplng.

Each link or scoop comprises a.. substantially cylindrical mounting endportion Il, having a more or less elliptical passage I4 therethrough forthe reception ofthe bead Il ofthe Stringer. The passage I4V opensthrough the end of the mounting portion I3, and forms resulting jaw likemembers I5 Awhich engagethe tape inwardly of the bead. i

The coupling end portions I6 of the scoops terminate at their ends inmale or ball like members I1, which join the mountingend portions "balland socket couplingbetween the scoops of opposed stringeraas willclearly appear from a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing. It ispreierred that the diameter ofthe ball end I] be thesame as the diameterof thecylindrical mounting end I3.L y l i 'The ball ,endl Il haspassages, apertureasockets, or recesses IS extending therethrough `andparallel to the beaded edges Il of the stringer tapes, or in otherwords, opening through upper and lower surfaces of the ball ends so asto receive projecting coupling pins 20 andlll", cencoupled stringers"2,3 on the scoops 25,

:in the structure shown A*structure heretofore mentioned, it

. able along the trally of the recesses I on adjacent links or scoops ofan opposed Stringer,

The ball and socket construction formed by the male or ball part I1, andfemale portion or neck I8 of each scoop couples the stringers againstlateral separation, whereas the passage I9 forms the female portion, andthe pins and 20 the male portion of a further coupling, which retainsthe scoops against transverse separatiomas will be apparent. The pins 20and 20' are also preferably rounded to facilitate the'couplng of thescoops.

From a consideration o Fig. 3, it will be apparent that the opening ofthe passage I4 through opposite sides of the mounting end portions I3 ofthe scoops form concaved recesses 2l at each side' of the scoops, andthese recesses in addition to -the cylindrical formation of the mountingends I3, provide a greater flexure or bending of the tapes, particularlyin the sharp bending of the coupled stringere.

ConsideringFig. l of the drawing, it will appear that the constructionof the couplingfend vportion I6 of the links or scoops is such as toprovide substantial abutment of the outer extremities of the ballends Ilwith the beaded edges I! of the tapes of opposed stringers when thestringers are coupled together. Thus a more or less complete closure orseal is formed between the aside from the slight passages indicated at22., in Fig. l of the drawing. If these passages are objectionable, amore perfect seal may be effected by forming extensions or wingsmounting end portions 2li of links or shown in Fig. 4, which areotherwise of theysame construction as the links or scoops i2, showninFigs. l to Sinclusive.

,The scoops include coupling end portions 2d which have lthe ball andsocket primary couplings and the pin and socket supplemental couplingssimilarto thecouplings ii, i8, It, 20 and 2t', in Fig. l. The extensionorfwings 23 are provided to form closures for thesmall passagesl 22,appearing in Fig. i, thusk with 'a structure as shown in Fig. 4,asubstantial seal is accomplished between the links or scoops aside from.slightv clearances which would bev naturally allowed for couplingengagement. The further feature of the present structure resides in thefact that the seal or more or less complete closure between the links ismaintained in the flexure or bending of the stringers tc a materiallygreater degree than is accomplished with conventional types oi link orscoop constructions.'

In addition to the features of the link or scoop will also be apparentvthat from a standpoint of coupling or uncoupling the links or scoops bya slider movstringers, a much smoother .and freer vcoupling engagementis accomplished by virtue of the ball and socket structure of thescoops. Allsharp and more or less pointed corners of the conventionalscoop structures are dispensed with, and accordingly, the blockingaction occasioned by these corners is removed. -A conventional type ofslider may be used to couple and vuncouple scoops as shown and describedherein, such as the slider of Patent 2,274,722.

Furthermore, the surface engagement of the links or scoops with theslider is also minimized, each link or scoop forming more or less of aroller bearing outer surface contour forv engagement with opposed wallsof the slider. This will readily appear from a consideration of Fig. 2of the drawing, which shows the yrounded surfaces assenso y in therectangular cross section of these devices.

extended wings Thus materially reducing the cost of producing theresulting stringers. y b It will be understoodthatthe scoops may beconstructed in any desired manner, and of any suitable materials andattached to the stringers in accordance with conventional and knownpractises. In forming the scoops as die castings, they will be formeddirectly upon the stringer tapes, andr may be composed of cast metal orplastic materials.A In considering the link or scoop structure, it maybe said that a minimum amount of material is employed throughout theentire link or scoop, and this is done without in any way weakening thecoupling engagement between the stringers. To the contrary, thereduction of friction in engagement of the links or scoops and inroperation of the slider thereon will materially increase the useful lifeof the fastener.

Engagement between coupled scoops forms more or less of a line contact,rather than a wide surface contact and this lsdue to the curvatures ofthe ball and socket portions of the coupling ends. One distinctiveadvantage of this construction is the ability to free the fastener offoreign matter, which might collect thereon, particularly whensuchfasteners are arranged upon overshoes or other footwearand may beexposed to mud and dirt-in the use thereof. Furthermore, the free exingorbrocking of the scoops. one upon the other, is also desirable inconforming to the irregular contour of apparel of this and other typesand kinds. It will also be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 4 ofthe drawing that the 2l form almost a complete circumferential socketbetween adjacent scoops for the reception of the ball ends. Inconsidering the arrangement of the scoops on each Stringer, thestructure might further be described in saying that the spacing betweenopposed surfaces ofthe ball ends of adjacent scoops is substantially thesame as the diameter of the neck or socket cortion of each scoop. On theother hand, the spa cing between theneck or socket portions ofk adiacent scoops is substantially common with the diameterof the ball end ofa scoop.

Having fully describedl my invention, what I claimy as new and desirekto secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In separable fasteners employing stringers,

said stringers having scoops spaced longitudinally of edge portions ofthe tapes thereof, each scoop comprising a mounting end portion ofsubstan tially cylindrical cross-sectional form, the coupling endportion of the scoop comprising a balllike endforming the male portionof said coupling end, an annular recess inwardly of said ball formingthe female portion or neck of said coup`lng end, the curvature of theneck correspondingto the contour of the ball to form a substantial linecontact between scoops of opposed stringers ywhen said stringers arecoupled togather. the ball end of each scoop having an aperture, and theneck' having on opposed walls projecting members adapted to enter theapertures in the ball end ofhscoops' of an opposed Stringer.

2. In separable fasteners employing stringers,

-ball forming the female portion or neck of said coupling end, thecurvature of the neck correspending to the contour of the ball to form asubstantial line contact between `scoops of opposed stringers when saidstringere are coupled together, the ball end ofeach' scoop having anaperture, the neck having on opposedfwalls projecting members adapted toenterl the apertures in the ballend of 'scoops' of an opposed stringer,

- on opposed surfaces/of thel tape clylindricallike portion projectingbeyond the beaded edge of the .i ing to theiouter edges of the bead ofthe tapes,

said projecting members having rounded ends. A

` adjacent said beadededges of the tapes of epand the diameter of theball end corresponding to the diameter ofthe cylindrical mounting end ofthe scoop, andthe ends of-saidmembers being arranged within thecircumferential boundariesv of said ball and mounting ends.

3. In separable fasteners employing stringere, comprising tapes havingbeaded edges, scoops spaced along and projecting from the beaded edgesof the stringertape, each scoop comprising a substantially cylindricalmounting end arranged l upon the beaded edge ofthe tape and presentingof scoops of an opposed Stringer in coupling the stringers together,other means 'on the couplingportions of the scoops for retaining coupledscoops vagainst transverse separation, and said ball ends of the scoopspresenting rounded bearing surfaces substantially corresponding to thecross-sectional contour of the bearing surfaces of the mounting endportions of said scoops.

4. In separable fasteners employing stringere, comprising tapes having'beaded edges, scoops "spaced along and projecting from the` beaded edgesof the Stringer tape, eachscoop comprising bearing surfaces, each scoophaving a'coupling tapethe coupling portion comprising an annular recessor neck, outwardly of which is a substantially ball endadapted to seatsnugly in the neck of scoops of an opposed stringer incoupling the,stringere together, other meansonthe coupling portions of the, scoopsfor. `retaining-coupled scoops against transversey separation,` saidball ends of the scoops presenting rounded bearing surfacessubstantially corresponding to the crosssectionalcontour of the bearing`surfaces of the `mounting end .portions of the scoops, `the curva,

ture ofthe `recessed portion of the scoops extendouter surfaces oftheball ends beingarranged 4posecistringers to substantially close theopeningbet/ween spaced beaded edges ci'l the tapes, when said stringersare coupled together, and each scoop having intermediate the mountingand coupling ends iatemliyextending wing portions( forming scoor. Y il6. In 'separable fastener stringers hating scoops spaced longitudinallyof one'edge of the tape of the stringere, each scoop having ayokeshapedmounting end portion, saidmountingend portion having outer curvedsurfaces extending .Y substantially the full length `tlieneof producinga` substantially cylindrical form throughout said ,end portieri,` theother coupling end vportion of the scoop having an outer ball end,inwardly` of l which islan annular socket portion, the', curvakture ofthe ball end conformingwith the curva--V ture of the socket portionproviding between coupled scoops of opposedfstringers .'a substantialscoops for retaining a substantially cylindrical mounting end arrangedtape of the stringere, each scoop having a yokei the stringere together,other means on the coupling portions of the scoops for retainingcoupledscoops againstltrasverse separation, said ball ends of the scoopspresenting rounded bearing surfaces substantially corresponding to thecross-sectional contour ofthe bearing surfaces of the mounting endportions of said scoops, the curvature of the recessed portion of thescoops extending to the outer edges ofthe bead of the tapes, and outersurfaces of theball ends being arranged adjacent saidbeaded edges of thetapes of opposed string-f Aera to substantially close the openingbetween,

spaced beaded edges of the tapes, when said stringere are coupledtogether.

5. In separablel fasteners employing stringere,

comprising tapes having beaded edges, scoops spaced along and projectingfrom the beaded 'edges oi.' the stringer tape, each scoop comprisingasubstantially cylindrical mounting end arranged closure, said ball andsocket coupling portions in conjunction with the cylindricalmountingportions providing maximum lbendingV unfolding of` p thestringere one upon the other, and interenx .gaging means ontcoupling end`portions of the said scoops against transverse separation.

' 7. Inv separable fastener fstringezrs,...` having scoops spacedlongitudinally of cneedge ofthey shapedmounting end portion, saidmounting end` substantially the full length thereof producing a endportion, the other coupling'end portieril of the` vv scoop having anouterball end, inwardlyof which l substantially kcylindrical formthroughout said is anannular socket portiom the curvature of the -ballend conforming with the curvature ofthe f coupling end Aportic'ins ofthe scoops for retaining socket. portion providing between coupld scoopsof opposed stringere a' substantialfclosure, `said` ball and socketcoupling portions linconjux'iction with, the cylindrical lmountingportions'providing maximum bending or folding of the"` stringers oneupon the other, interengaging means on Y said scoops against transverseseparation, said .last named means comprising recesses ,in` the ballvends,4 and projecting members `in the sockets 'adapted to enter therecesses in tnebau ends or` scoops of an opposed stringer. Y

8. In separable fastenerV stringers, having scoops spaced longitudinallyof one edge of tle tape of the stringere, each scoophaving a yokeshapedmounting end portion. said mounting end portion having outer curvedsurfaces extendingV substantially the full length thereof producing aupon the beaded edge ofthe tape and presenting I5 substantiallycylindrical form throughout said end portion, the other coupling endportion of the scoop having anouter ball end, inwardly roi? which is anannular socket portion, the curvature of the ball end conforming withthe curvature of the socket portion providing between coupled scoops ofopposed stringers a substantial closure,

vlsaid ball and socket coupling portions in conjunction with thecylindrical mounting portions providing maximum bending or folding ofthe stringers one upon the* other, interengaging means on coupling endportions oi the scoops for lretaining said scoops against transverseseparation, said last named means comprisingvre'cesses end portion, theother coupling end portion of the scoop having an outer ball end,inwardly of which is an annular Ysocket portion, the curvature of theball end conforming with the curvature of the socket portion providingbetween coupled scoops of. opposed stringers arsubstantial closure, saidball and socket'coupling portionsin conjunction with the cylindricalmounting portions providing maximum bending or folding of the string-4ers one upon the other, interengaging means on coupling end portions ofthe scoops for retaining said scoops against transverse separation, saidlast named means comprising recesses in the ball ends, projectingmembers in the sockets adapted to enterthe recesses in the ball ends ofscoops of an opposed stringer, each scoop intermediate Vthe mounting andcoupling end portions having laterally extending wings, and the wings ofadjacent scoops in conjunction with the socket portions thereof formingsockets conforming lto the contour of the ball end of the scoops andforming a substantial seal between adjacent coupled scoops.

10. In separable fasteners of the class described,

a pair of stringers, each stringer comprising a tape with scoops spacedlongitudinally of one `edge portion of thetape, the scoops of 'eachstringer having coupling portions projecting beyond the tape edges, thecpupling portions of all scoops being common t provide universalcoupling and uncoupling of the stringers, each scoop having on opposedsurfacesy convex and concaved ,contours forming male and female couplingportions of the scoops, the convexsurfaces of the scoops of VoneStringer seating in the concaved surfaces of scoops 0f the opposed`stringer in coupling the stringers together, said engaging surfacesproviding free rocking movement of the scoops one upon the other in freeexure of the stringers,y means retaining coupled scoops againsttransverseseparation, and means on the conaseaoeo convex surfacesthereof to form a substantial seal between coupled scoops.l

11. In separablefasteners of the class described,

a pair of stringers, each Stringer comprising a tape with scoops spacedlongitudinally of one edge portion of the tape, the scoops of eachStringer having coupling portions projecting beyond thetape edges, thecoupling portions of all scoops being common tok provide universalcoupling and uncouplingof the'stringers, the cou-- pling portion of eachscoop having a head and a.

' neck forming maleA and female coupling portions of the scoop,r thecross section of the head and neck being substantially circular, theheads of the scoops on one Stringer seating in the necks of scoops inopposed stringers in coupling the stringerstogether, the heads and necksof coupled scoops having lne contacting engagement providing freerocking movement of the scoops one upon the other in free exure of thestringers, and means on said heads and necks retaining coupled scoopsagainsttransverse separation.

12. In separable fasteners employing stringers having scoops spacedlongitudinally of one edge portion thereof, said scoops havingprojecting coupling portions, means on said coupling portions forcoupling the scoops against lateral and transverse separation whenscoops of opposed stringers are coupled together', said scoops havingmounting end portions arranged upon the stringers, and said mounting endportions and the coupling end por-tions of each scoop beingsubstantially circular in cross sectional form throughout the major partof the -length thereof, presenting at oppositesurfac'es of coupledstringers rounded bears ing surfaces throughout the full length of thestringers when in straight or curved positions.

13. A scoop for separable fastener stringers, comprising a substantiallycylindrical mounting end, a ball like member at the other end of thescoop of a diameter substantially common to the diameter of the mountingend, said ends being joined by an annular neck portion, said neck por" ltion having a curvature conforming to the curvacayo' contours of thescoops cooperating with the ture ofthe ball end, said ends and said neckportion being all substantially circular in cross section, and means onopposed sides of the ball end and neck portion of the scoop formingcommon male and female -couplings.

14. A scoop for separable fastener stringers, comprising -asubstantially cylindrical mounting end, a balllike member at the otherend of the scoop of a diameter substantially common to the diameterofthe mounting end, said ends being joined by an annular neck portion,said neck portion having a curvature conforming to the curvature of theball end, said ends and said neck portion being all substantiallycircular in cross section, meansv on opposed sides" of the ball end and'neck portion of the scoop forming common male and female couplings, saidlast named means comprising projecting pin members on said neck portion,and sockets on the ball end adapted to receive pin members `of scoopsofA an opposed Stringer inv coupling stringers together;

LOUIS H. MORINk

